Careers in GeoSciences
MMEW
June 18, 2013
J. Moe Benda
Director, UMD Iron Range Graduate Engineering Education
Instructor, Chemical Engineering
Today
Intros
 Minerals, The Need
 What Minerals are Mined
 Careers, Supply and Demand
 Mining: the Process, the People
 Resources

Careers in GeoSciences
MMEW
Intro:
Moe Benda, UMD
 SME, Northern MN Subsection
 Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability
 Laurentian Chamber of Commerce

J. Moe Benda
Director, Iron Range/UMD Graduate Engineering Education Program
Instructor, Chemical Engineering
C170 Administration
1001 Chestnut Street West
Virginia, MN 55792
218 749-7776 (office)
218 290-5366 (cell)
No Way, Right?
Weight of
10 Cars in
Iron Ore!!
In Minnesota…
What it mean to us: $$$
Iron Mining contributes $1.8 Billion
 Indirectly +$1.6 Billion

WHAT AND WHERE
ELSE?
usgs
We are the leaders…

In environmental
stewardship.
◦ Educated EPA
◦ Educated MPCA
◦ Environmental Engineers
Community
Economy
Environment
Worldwide
We need Smart People!
 We need Environmentally Savvy People!

Demand… Supply?
MINING: THE PROCESS,
THE PEOPLE
Minerals
Exploration
 Extraction
 Processing
 Finally to:

◦ Assembly
◦ Consumption
If it’s not grown, it’s mined.
Exploration – Go Find it

How do we know minerals are around?

Geologist…
“Billions”
Extraction: Just because it’s there…

How does/will the earth behave…?

Geological Engineering
“Months. Decades…”
Process – Very little to very much

How do we plan to get
the minerals out of the
mineral holding rock?

Mining Engineering
“Life of Mine…”
Process – Very little to very much

How do we consistently
make a deliverable?

Process Engineering
“Today…”
Process – Very little to very much

Hands on!

Operations
FOCUS ON: Operations
“Today…”
Bulldozer Operator
Conveyor Operator
Excavator Operator
Freight, Stock, and Material Mover
Hand Shuttle Car Operator
Hoistman
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator
Loading Machine Operator
Truck Driver
Mill Operator
Managers of Production and Operating
Worker
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine
Setter, Operator or Tender
Plant and System Operator
Production Worker
Solderer
Welder
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying,
Precipitating and Still Machine Setter,
Operator or Tender
Process – Very little to very much

Everyone goes home safe!

Health and Safety
“Today…Life of Mine…”
Process – Very little to very much
Understand the impact
on the Environment
 Must be done in a
sustainable manner


Environment
And More!
http://www.taconite.org/careers/types
Consumption

This is one job we don’t have to apply for!
Jobs

$100,000
http://geology.com/articles/what-is-geology.shtml
The Work….?
Job Satisfaction
 Benefit to Society
 Challenging Work
 Variety
 Financially Rewarding

The Future… Minerals…

-2017
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1091/OFR2013-1091.pdf
What are you looking for?
RESOURCES
Minnesota Field Trips
As a Family
With your School…

Soudan Underground Mine
◦ http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/index.html

Minnesota Discovery Center
◦ http://www.mndiscoverycenter.com/

Minnesota Mining Museum
◦
http://www.mnmuseumofmining.org/
Useful Links:

Minerals Education Workshop:
http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/
Useful Links:

http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/k-12-education
Useful Links

Common Items:
◦ http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/mi
nerals-your-life

Mining Minnesota
◦ http://www.miningminnesota.com/

Iron Mining Association:
◦ http://www.taconite.org/
Useful Links:
Society for Mining, Metallurgy and
Exploration – SME
http://www.smenet.org/
 Need Volunteers to help in your class?

Just because it’s cool…
http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/peri
odic-table-elements
I appreciate what you do!

Help students stay inquisitive and keep it Fun!

STEM Through High School – keep options open!

Mentor:
◦
◦
◦
◦

Michigan Tech
Colorado School of Mines
South Dakota School of Mines
UMD
SME Link:
http://www.smenet.org/page/?id=188
Special Thanks!

CLIFFS Natural Resources:
◦ Julie Varichak,
Manager – North American Growth Initiatives
◦ Julie Lucas,
Environmental Manager, Northern MN SME Chair
◦ Bob Bolf,
HR Manager

Iron Mining Association:
◦ Craig Pagel,
President
THANK YOU!